Suspended doctor arrested after alleged illegal circumcisions leave victims with septic wounds in Limpopo
A quiet village in Limpopo has been left reeling after police uncovered what they allege was an illegal circumcision operation that left several young men seriously injured, with some requiring hospital treatment for septic wounds.
The arrest of a 66-year-old man, who authorities say was suspended from practising as a medical doctor years ago, has raised fresh concerns about unregistered medical procedures and the devastating consequences they can have for vulnerable communities.
According to police, the suspect was arrested on Monday, 6 July 2026, in Slaaphoek village under the Maleboho policing area after allegedly performing unsafe medical circumcisions while falsely presenting himself as a qualified practitioner.
The investigation began after a concerned community member alerted authorities on Thursday, reporting disturbing images of young men suffering from severe infections after undergoing circumcision procedures in unsafe conditions.
Police said two of the victims had already been admitted to hospital with septic wounds and were reportedly unable to walk properly because of their injuries.
Hospital authorities later confirmed to investigators that the 66-year-old man had been suspended from practising as a medical doctor by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in 2021 and was no longer authorised to provide medical services.
Acting on the information, police, accompanied by traditional leaders, conducted a health compliance inspection at the premises on Monday.
What they allegedly found painted a disturbing picture.
Investigators discovered numerous young males at the property. Some were reportedly in severe pain following circumcision procedures, while others were waiting to undergo the operation.
Police allege the circumcisions were being carried out in an unhygienic room with no basin or running water. Officers also noted that the walls had been blackened by smoke from firewood that had reportedly been burned inside the room.
When questioned, the elderly man allegedly failed to produce any documentation proving that he was legally authorised to practise as a medical doctor.
He was arrested at the scene and charged with fraud and contravening the Health Professions Act.
The accused, identified as Mashilo Kgathi, appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
He was remanded in police custody, and the matter was postponed to Monday, 13 July 2026, for a formal bail application and further police investigations at the Maleboho Periodical Court.
Police investigations remain ongoing.
